Members of Parliament from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) staged a significant 12-hour-long dharna on Thursday, protesting against the passage of a key government bill. The demonstration came in response to the Rajya Sabha clearing the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, popularly referred to as the VB-G RAM G Bill.
Parliamentary Passage Amidst Protest
The Upper House of Parliament passed the legislation using a voice vote. This crucial step followed the bill's clearance by the Lok Sabha earlier on the same day, Thursday, 19 December 2025. The swift passage through both houses underscored the government's legislative priority for the initiative, even as opposition voices raised strong objections.
The TMC's Dharna: A Symbolic Stand
The protest by TMC parliamentarians was a direct and visible challenge to the bill's approval. By sitting on a dharna for half a day, the MPs aimed to draw public and media attention to their dissent. While the specific grounds for the TMC's opposition were not detailed in the initial report, such prolonged demonstrations in Parliament are typically reserved for issues the party deems critically important to its political stance or the interests of its constituents.
The timing of the dharna, coinciding with the bill's journey through the Rajya Sabha, was a strategic move to highlight their protest at the very moment of the bill's enactment.
Understanding the VB-G RAM G Bill
The core legislation at the center of this political storm is the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill. The bill's name suggests its focus is on guaranteeing employment (Rozgar) and livelihood (Ajeevika) in rural areas (Gramin), as part of the broader 'Viksit Bharat' or 'Developed India' vision. Its passage indicates a major policy push by the central government in the realm of rural job security and economic support.
The key facts of the event are:
- Event: 12-hour dharna by TMC MPs.
- Reason: Protest against the VB-G RAM G Bill.
- Bill Status: Passed by both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on 19 December 2025.
- Voting Method: Passed via voice vote in the Rajya Sabha.
The passage of the VB-G RAM G Bill marks a significant legislative development, but the strong protest from the TMC signals that its implementation and impact will be watched closely amidst political debate. The dharna ensures that the bill enters the statute books not with unanimous consent, but with a clear note of dissent from a major opposition party.
